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Americans’ jobs are vanishing at the fastest rate in more than five years and the pace is expected to increase in the coming months. The nation's unemployment rate now stands at 6.1 percent, up sharply from 4.7 percent a year ago, meaning the number of unemployed people has risen by 2.2 million to 9.5 million.

Behind those stark numbers are stories of personal anguish, financial hardship and ruin. But there also are tales of resolve, adaptability and the opening of new career frontiers.

To get those stories, msnbc.com would like to hear from you, our readers, about your job situation.

Have you been laid off, taken a buyout or had your hours reduced? Are you hanging on by a thread? Have you undergone a career change as a result of the changing economy? Or are you in a stable industry that gives you confidence you’ll weather the current economic storm?

Please take the time to fill out the form below telling us about your job status. And please include a photo so that we can share your story with other readers as part of our upcoming Gut Check America coverage of the worsening employment situation.